Saturday, April 9, 2011

Kevin Slowey To DL, Alex Burnett Recalled

The Twins have sent their second player to the disabled list in as many days as starter turned reliever Kevin Slowey has been sent to the DL two days after suffering a strained biceps muscle in his pitching arm. Slowey suffered a strained triceps injury last August and this marks yet another trip to the DL for the precision righty, something that's become an all too familiar occurrence for him.
The team had Slowey undergo an MRI on the biceps but nothing more serious was revealed. Still, the team will be cautious with Slowey, sending him to the disabled list for 15 days. The move will be retroactive to April 7th, making Slowey available to return on the 23rd.

Slowey has had an up-and-down tenure as a starter, dazzling at times, infuriating at others. With a solid 6.87 career K rate and phenomenal 1.68 BB rate, the two things that have held Slowey back a propensity for the fly ball - his 28.3% rate led the Majors in 2010 - and a tendency to work deep into counts while running up his pitch count. While his 4.19 FIP suggests he's a solid pitcher, the Twins made the decision to send him to the bullpen. It's a role he worked out of to finish the 2010 season as the team's rotation became overcrowded by the presence of Brian Duensing. More importantly, he's thrived in the role in his extremely brief tenure.

In his place the team has called up Alex Burnett, a 23 year old righty who split time between AAA and the Majors in 2010. Burnett works around 92 with his fastball, and will also show hitters a slider and curve. He's shown an ability to miss bats in the minors, particularly since a switch to the bullpen in 2009. He lacks the elite command typical of Twins pitchers but his stuff should be good enough to make him a solid 7th inning option.

Corey Ettinger is a Senior Writer for Baseball Digest as well as a proud contributor to both 612Sports.net, 312Sports.com, and 313sports.com. He also provides extensive analysis of the American League Central Division at his own blog, AL Central In Focus. Be sure to follow me on Twitter @Coreyettinger for the latest updates, random thoughts and general tomfoolery.